For decades, the “Flynn effect” gave us a reason to feel a little smarter. Named after New Zealand philosopher
and intelligence researcher James Flynn, it described the steady rise in IQ scores across the 20th century, suggesting that each generation was outpacing the last in cognitive performance. Better nutrition, education, and access to information seemed to be boosting our brainpower.
But as we’ve stepped into the 21st century, the story has become a bit more complicated. Some studies now suggest IQ scores are leveling off or even declining in certain countries. So, are we still getting smarter, or was the Flynn effect a temporary theory rather than a lasting trend? Click on to find out.